last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Kyrgyzstan
Contributionsversion #1created Dec 11, 2019Latest contributions in this guideContributors to this guide
Location
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Kyrgyzstan has three sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
- Silk Road (2014):
- Sulaiman-Too (2009):
- Western Tien Shan (2016):
Cities and Cultural Heritage
- Bishkek :
- Karakol :
- Kochkor :
- Naryn :
- Osh :
Natural Heritage
- Pamir :
Must-see & highly recommended
Pamir (Kyrgyzstan)
★★★★ This high-mountain range, though primarily located in Tajikistan and China, extends into southwestern Kyrgyzstan. It’s a region of…
Western Tien Shan (Kyrgyzstan)
★★★★ A UNESCO-listed high mountain range spanning several countries, offering stunning landscapes and countless opportunities for hiking…
Recommended
Lake Issyk-Kul
★★★ This vast mountain lake in the Tian Shan is the main attraction in eastern Kyrgyzstan. Visitors come for its landscapes, swimming at…
Lake Son Kul
★★★ A stunning lake in the Tian Shan mountains, accessible on foot or horseback in summer.
Ala Archa National Park
★★★ Just a few dozen kilometres south of the capital, this park with its mountain-surrounded gorges is a highly popular spot for hiking on foot…
Altyn Arashan Valley
★★★ A beautiful mountainous area with hot springs in the northwest, perfect for hiking.
Worth a look / Other
Bishkek
★★ It's the capital and largest city of the country. Relatively recent, Bishkek isn't the most touristy, though its lively atmosphere, bazaar…
Inylchek Glacier
★★ One of the largest glaciers on the planet, located in the far east of the country in the Karakol region. It is dominated by several peaks…
Lake Chatyr-Kul
★★ A pretty alpine lake in the south of the country, not far from the Torugart Pass, which connects the country to nearby China.
Osh
★★ The second city of Kyrgyzstan and the "capital" of the south offers a few monuments and a lively bazaar. It is also the gateway to the…
Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve
★★ A mountain and small lakes park in western Kyrgyzstan.
Silk Road
★★ This famous route between China and the Mediterranean, which reached its peak in the medieval era, is UNESCO-listed for its China-Central…
Tash Rabat
★★ A 15th-century caravanserai in a stunning setting on the Silk Road. Located near the Torugart Pass, it is accessible by hiking.
Ferghana Valley
★★ This fertile valley spanning three countries is home to a large portion of the region's population, with villages, ethnic groups…
Arslanbob Forest
★ This is the oldest and largest walnut forest in the world, surrounding the village of Arslanbob. You can ski or trek in the nearby mountain…
Jalal-Abad
★ A large city in the Ferghana Valley near the border with Uzbekistan. The Saimaluu-Tash petroglyphs are located in its vicinity.
Karakol
★ The large settlement on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. While it has relatively little to offer in terms of tourism, Karakol remains an…
Kochkor
★ This mid-sized town west of Lake Issyk-Kul is primarily a starting point for exploring the surrounding area.
Naryn
★ This is the main town in the south/southeast and primarily a stopover or base for exploring this part of Kyrgyzstan.
Saimaluu-Tash
★ This archaeological site is home to the largest number of petroglyphs in Central Asia.
Sulaiman-Too
★ This "sacred mountain" overlooking the city of Osh and the Ferghana Valley was the country's first UNESCO-listed site. You can hike here…
Burana Tower
★ Around a hundred kilometres from the capital, this is a tall minaret and the last remnant of a 9th-century city on the Silk Road.